Translation guide
How to express doing things individually, in sequence, or one by one in Japanese.
Expressing that things are done individually, one after another.
The most common and natural way to say 'one at a time' for countable items or actions. Used for physical objects or tasks.
Please check the documents one at a time.
Let's solve the problems one at a time.
Specifically for people: 'one person at a time'. Use when individuals take turns or enter/leave sequentially.
Please enter the room one at a time.
Please introduce yourselves one at a time.
For small objects counted with 個 (ko). More specific than 一つずつ when the counter is known.
Please hand out the candies one at a time.
Means 'in turn' or 'in order'. Emphasizes the sequence rather than the singularity. Often used when people take turns.
Please speak one at a time (in turn).
Emphasizing that things should be done individually, not simultaneously or in bulk.
Literally 'one at one time'. Strongly contrasts with doing many things at once. Common in instructions.
Please focus on one task at a time.
I will answer one question at a time.
Means 'only one'. Can imply 'one at a time' when used in context, but more about limitation than sequence.
Please choose only one at a time.
Expressing a gradual, step-by-step approach to a process or learning.
Literally 'one step at a time'. Used metaphorically for progress in life, learning, or projects.
Let's move forward one step at a time.
If you learn one step at a time without rushing, you'll be fine.
Means 'little by little'. Emphasizes gradual progress rather than discrete steps. More general than 一歩ずつ.
ずつ means 'at a time' (distributing equally or sequentially), while ごとに means 'every' (repeating intervals). For 'one at a time', use ずつ.
I will call you one at a time.
I will check for each person (every person).
Do not translate 'one at a time' word-for-word as 一つに一回 (hitotsu ni ikkai) or similar. It sounds unnatural. Use ずつ or 一度に一つ instead.
Please come in one at a time.
Deal with the issues one at a time.
少しずつ慣れていきます。
I'll get used to it one step at a time.